JFC considers relieving DNR of deer clean up duties, funding

The state Department of Natural Resources would no longer be responsible for cleaning up dead deer along Wisconsin’s roadways, under an item being considered by the Legislature’s budget writing committee.

The governor’s proposed state budget would eliminate $700,000 a year for the DNR to dispose of deer carcasses along state highways. Those animals would either be picked up by local governments which maintain the roadways — or simply be left to decompose.

Motorists have the option to keep the roadkill, but many don’t. Last year, the DNR collected almost 24,000 dead deer from Wisconsin roads.

In its review of the budget, the non-partisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau cautioned that dead deer are “unsightly,” and could hurt Wisconsin’s reputation as a great tourist state.